50/2017 Campaign

Building a Movement to Stop the School to Prison Pipeline

Roughly 56% of African American youth in the juvenile justice system report a prior school suspension.

40% of Louisiana’s youth are locked up for nonviolent offenses.

Many previously incarcerated children drop out of school carrying heavy individual cost and placing significant burdens on society.

In Louisiana children are being pushed into incarceration as a result of “zero-tolerance” policies and high school suspensions. Each year there are approximately 300,000 suspension and expulsions in Louisiana. There were over 80,000 disciplinary actions taken in the 2009-2010 school year for willful disobedience alone, a vaguely defined and arbitrarily enforced offence.

Research shows a strong correlation between harsh discipline practices, dropout and incarceration.

FFLIC’s 50/2017 Campaign clearly outlines goals and programs to stop the school to prison pipeline and ensure that every child who enrolls in school has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential instead of being ushered into the prison system.

Our Programs:

TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Goal: Build a base of informed and active parents to transform oppressive systems into ones that uphold justice. Learn more…

SOLUTIONS NOT SUSPENSIONS

Goal: Reform the Louisiana Education Discipline System to one that upholds Preamble, Article 8, Louisiana State Constitution which states: “The goal of the public educational system is to provide learning environments and experiences, at all stages of human development, that are humane, just, and designed to promote excellence in order that every individual may be afforded an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential.” Learn more…

JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM

Goal: Reform the Louisiana Juvenile Justice System to one that rehabilitates our youth and reduces the number of incarcerated youth by following the evidenced-based Missouri Model which “seeks to narrow the pipeline of youth entering the system” and keep parents at the center of their children’s treatment. Learn more…